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Beach House Recovery Center » Blog » How Music Therapy Is Being Used in Addiction Treatment
Most people naturally love music in one form or another. And many doctors consider music a useful tool in treating various illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, depression—and substance use disorder.
Ways that music is being used in addiction treatment include:
Music has even been used to treat babies born with opiate addiction, whose mothers were addicted during pregnancy. And for patients who dread “talk therapy” but love music, the promise “there’ll be music” can even provide motivation to agree to treatment.
There is now a whole class of licensed “music therapists” who work with various styles of harmony and rhythm. Of course, they use more than just music, combining it with standard counseling and other treatment methods. Even so, the phrase may sound a bit flippant to people who know little about the field—some may be at a loss to even picture what it means.
One technical definition of music therapy is “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” Translated into lay language, that means: based on medical science’s understanding of how the human physical system responds to various forms of music, playing specific tunes for specific patients in specific professional settings can be used as a tool to aid progress toward specific recovery goals.
The earliest examples of using music therapy to treat substance use disorders come from the 1970s—an era many remember as a time of widespread “recreational” drug use and also as a time of the generations clashing regularly over musical tastes. Licensed music therapists have more sense than to get involved in arguments over whether any style of music is inherently “bad,” “good” or “better.” Just as with music played purely for enjoyment, music therapy uses various styles—and approaches.
Depending on the patient and the practice, therapists may focus on:
Any of these can be used in individual or group therapy. Lyric- and songwriting-focused approaches are most frequently employed where positive emotional change is the goal. Patients who need to practice relaxation or anxiety relief are often helped by drumming or other music–movement combinations, which increase the sense of personal control.
If you are a serious music lover investigating detox options, and especially if you already find that your desire for a “fix” is diminished by listening to certain forms of music, ask for referrals to local music therapists who specialize in addiction treatment.
There are a few points and cautions to remember with music therapy:
Check out Beach House’s Spotify playlists of recommended songs in four categories:
Sources:
AlcoholRehab.com. “Music Therapy in Addiction Recovery.” Accessed October 25, 2017.
Aletraris, Lydia, et al. “The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs.” Journal of Addictions Nursing, October 2014, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 190–196. Accessed October 25, 2017.
American Music Therapy Association. “What Is Music Therapy?” Accessed October 25, 2017.
NowThis. “This hospital is using music therapy to soothe babies born with opioid addiction.” July 28, 2017. Accessed October 25, 2017.
Water’s Edge Recovery. “News: What Is the Value of Music Therapy in Addiction Recovery?” Accessed October 25, 2017.
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
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